Stanford-UCLA at a glance

Daily News Staff

Posted:
11/23/2012 11:53:47 PM PST

Updated:
11/23/2012 11:53:48 PM PST

HOW THEY MATCH UP

Stanford offense vs. UCLA defense: Redshirt freshman QB Kevin Hogan has added a new dimension to the offense for the Cardinal, but he will be under pressure against the Bruins, who rank fifth in the nation in sacks (3.5/game) after finishing tied for 112th last year. Edge: UCLA

Stanford defense vs. UCLA offense: Displaying similar personnel -- a mobile freshman quarterback, a 1,000-yard running back and a 6-foot-7 tight end -- UCLA faces its toughest test in a Stanford defense that ranks second in the NCAA in both rushing defense (71.2 yards/game) and sacks (4.2/game). The Cardinal owns the 10th-best scoring defense (16.9 points/game). Edge: Stanford

Special teams: UCLA senior punter Jeff Locke, a seminalist for the Ray Guy Award, leads the Pac-12 with 29 kicks placed inside the 20-yard line (20, at or inside the 10-yard line). Edge: UCLA

Coaching: David Shaw's biggest competition for Pac-12 coach of the year award is UCLA first-year coach Jim Mora, who has 25 years of NFL experience -- including time with the 49ers from 1997 to 2003. Edge: Even

Intangibles: UCLA has little to play for as the Bruins have already clinched the Pac-12 South title and a spot in next week's conference championship game. Edge: Stanford

Prediction: Stanford 27, UCLA 20

PLAYERS TO WATCH

STANFORD

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TE Zach Ertz, No. 86: His game-tying touchdown with 1:35 left in the fourth quarter at Oregon was one of 11 catches for the senior. No other Cardinal caught more than three passes.

OLB Chase Thomas, No. 44: The fifth-year senior was credited with just three tackles last week as inside linebacker Shayne Skov passed him for the team lead in the category. Thomas had two tackles the week before, and only one on Nov. 3. Let's just say he's due.

NT David Parry, No. 58: With Terrence Stephens ruled out because of a personal matter, the 6-foot-2, 300-pound sophomore will step in at nose tackle. UCLA could look to establish the run between the tackles.

COLORADO

QB Brett Hundley, No. 17: In his last four games, the redshirt freshman has completed 76 percent of his passes for 1,057 yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions. He ran for a 72-yard touchdown on the first snap he took for UCLA.

TE Joseph Fauria, No. 8: At 6-foot-7, the tight end is a threat in the red zone. Ten of his 35 matches have resulted in touchdowns.

LBs Eric Kendricks (No. 6) and Anthony Barr (No. 11): The younger brother of former Cal star Mychal Kendricks leads the Pac-12 with 112 tackles, while Barr is converted running back who is fourth in the nation with 12 sacks.

BULLET NOTES

Stanford senior RB Stepfan Taylor is eight yards away from 4,000 career rushing yards and 177 yards shy of tying Darrin Nelson's school record (4,169). Also ahead of him is UCLA senior RB Johnathan Franklin, whose rushing total of 4,110 yards ranks sixth on the Pac-12 conference career list.

UCLA has won 12 of its past 13 games when it limits the opponent to fewer than 100 rushing yards.

After recording a plus-11 turnover margin through its first nine games, Stanford has suffered a minus-five turnover margin over its past two games.

The last time the Cardinal played three consecutive ranked opponents was 2007. Stanford has never defeated three ranked teams in three straight games.

The Bruins have won six of the past 10 meetings, but the Cardinal has won the past three, including a 45-19 victory last year at Stanford Stadium. UCLA owns a 10-5 advantage in series games contested in the Rose Bowl.